Android Are Fire devices the best for Amazon Video under £100?

[tech3475]

I'm currently in the market for a new Android media player for my parents, they will need something relatively simple while also supporting Amazon Video.

I've heard that generic boxes can run instant video, but this will require a KB or other messing around which they wouldn't like.

Are there any other similar devices I've missed or should I just stick with Amazon?

Only other options I can think of are non-Android based e.g. Roku or games consoles.

 

[Shadow#1]

I'm currently in the market for a new Android media player for my parents, they will need something relatively simple while also supporting Amazon Video.

I've heard that generic boxes can run instant video, but this will require a KB or other messing around which they wouldn't like.

Are there any other similar devices I've missed or should I just stick with Amazon?

Only other options I can think of are non-Android based e.g. Roku or games consoles.

Chromecast or a Vizio E-series TV that has Chromecast built in

 

[tech3475]

Chromecast or a Vizio E-series TV that has Chromecast built in

Really need a dedicated box with a remote as they wouldn't like chromecast-like options.

 

[FAST6191]

There are some refurb PCs under £100 (usually late core 2 era/early core i, 4 gigs of RAM, pretty small form factor, windows 7 or something) that would do wonderfully and you can buy a nice remote for them as well. Or if you have an old laptop with a dead screen or something...

Being a PC it will run just about every service going in its best form, take adblock easily, keep running every service going (no oh we only support android current - 0.1 sprung upon you), you can stick teamviewer on it rather than trying to guide them over the phone...
It is then only those with services bundled with specific devices (see previous part about support dropping) or that make it cheaper because mobile (not so many of those in the UK, indeed I usually find the opposite) that stand a chance of doing better. PC plugins for kodi also do most of the big services and you can always alt and tab to a browser with all the bookmarks/new tab page loaded and ready to go.

 

[tech3475]

There are some refurb PCs under £100 (usually late core 2 era/early core i, 4 gigs of RAM, pretty small form factor, windows 7 or something) that would do wonderfully and you can buy a nice remote for them as well. Or if you have an old laptop with a dead screen or something...

Being a PC it will run just about every service going in its best form, take adblock easily, keep running every service going (no oh we only support android current - 0.1 sprung upon you), you can stick teamviewer on it rather than trying to guide them over the phone...
It is then only those with services bundled with specific devices (see previous part about support dropping) or that make it cheaper because mobile (not so many of those in the UK, indeed I usually find the opposite) that stand a chance of doing better. PC plugins for kodi also do most of the big services and you can always alt and tab to a browser with all the bookmarks/new tab page loaded and ready to go.

You can actually pick them up for peanuts, got a Dell last year (C2D 4GB RAM 160GB HDD) for around £40 with W7 pro.

But again the problem is my parents.

They have used a windows tablet before with Kodi, etc. but they didn't like it and only used it out of necessity.

 

[FAST6191]

Stack the deck then.

Go through their record collection, film collection... and put it all on there. Tags, album art, the works.

Most of the UIs are braindead simple and even more so if you read what it tells you. That might not be enough if it is just a harder way to watch TV and listen to the radio, however I rarely find if you do the above that they won't take to it.

 

[InsaneNutter]

The Xbox One has iPlayer, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Netflix and Amazon which can all be auto updated and pinned to the home screen. You can get them second hand in CeX for £120ish (well my mate got one in our local Cex for that).

The Nvidia Shield also has a nice Amazon, Netflix and BBC iPlayer app, however is lacking other catch up apps like any other Android TV device unless you sideload the standard Android app.

Both over budget though, although would be a better long term investment.

A PC can be a viable solution if you lock them in to a certain app and get a remote. My parents media PC has a quad tuner, Windows Media Center and from Media Center they can launch Plex and TotalMedia Theatre (Blu-ray playback), all controlled with the same remote.

Amazon / Netflix integration just isn't there, even on Windows 10 if you put that in tablet mode you can't control and use "modern apps" (or what ever their now called) with a remote, leaving you to use a mouse and keyboard which your parents probably wouldn't like.

 

[tech3475]

The Xbox One has iPlayer, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Netflix and Amazon which can all be auto updated and pinned to the home screen. You can get them second hand in CeX for £120ish (well my mate got one in our local Cex for that).

The Nvidia Shield also has a nice Amazon, Netflix and BBC iPlayer app, however is lacking other catch up apps like any other Android TV device unless you sideload the standard Android app.

Both over budget though, although would be a better long term investment.

A PC can be a viable solution if you lock them in to a certain app and get a remote. My parents media PC has a quad tuner, Windows Media Center and from Media Center they can launch Plex and TotalMedia Theatre (Blu-ray playback), all controlled with the same remote.

Amazon / Netflix integration just isn't there, even on Windows 10 if you put that in tablet mode you can't control and use "modern apps" (or what ever their now called) with a remote, leaving you to use a mouse and keyboard which your parents probably wouldn't like.

I did think about an Xbone if cheap enough (even if I get a bundle one an Xbox One s and keep the games), may be able to justify it as a BD player but I'd have to talk to them about it as it is over budget.

They also already have one in their living room which is a bonus from a familiarity standpoint.

The Nvidia Shield though would be overkill and the HTPC sounds too flawed for them and I can see them being put of by it.

 

[InsaneNutter]

I did think about an Xbone if cheap enough (even if I get a bundle one an Xbox One s and keep the games), may be able to justify it as a BD player but I'd have to talk to them about it as it is over budget.

Thinking about it the Xbox 360 could be a good option too, you could certainly get one for less than £100. I'd imagine even the 360 would be supported for a few years yet.

The Xbox One S would certainly be much more future-proof though with the added benefit of been UDH Blu-ray capable. I can see that easily getting software updates for many years to come.

 

[RaptorDMG]

I think you should just get a firestick. It costs about £30 and seems to do everything you need

 

[ov3rkill]

I don't know what's the best android tv boxes out there.
These links should help:
http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/medi...-6-best-android-tv-devices-for-kodi-content-1
and of course there are some Chinese products which are cheaper.
http://www.ringosoft.com/best-chinese-tv-box/

 

[tri_fin]

Firestick without a doubt. Or maybe the new firetv box.

 

[emigre]

I'd favour the Roku. My old man is able to use the Roku 3 ok. Personally, I've always found the Fire devices user interface to be a fucking mess.

 

[spotanjo3]

Chromecast or a Vizio E-series TV that has Chromecast built in

Actually, Roku and others are better than Chromecast. Dont like Google version.

 

[DaTank45]

Fire stick or box and throw kodi and mobdro on there you'll be set

 

[tech3475]

Had a word with them, looks like a Fire device will be best for them as that does what the want and they're not interested in a BD drive.

Thanks.